Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-08
DEMOCRACY AND LEADERSHIP.
MIR. Kennedy Replies to What He Con
strues as q Criticism of Himself.

,
the nominees of the Democratic party in
the city for defeat In the elections just
held. And as 1 understand your position
! 1t is about this, "that the candidates are
the leaders of the party, that the party
must pander to the 'carnality in man,
and as the candidates stand forth as eX-
ponents of the party they must do the
'pandering'" That Is, to put it in piain
language, money must be used to "buy"
votes and ''infuenCe," and the candidate
must furnish it. l was informed during
my canvas for alderman of the Third
ward that If l expected to be elected l
must go INTO the saloons and treat pro-
miscuously, and that l must put money
into the hands of the "workers," and
especially into the hands of the working
negroes. This 1 declined to do and did
not do. 1 will now state that l take issue
squarely with you in your theory. l say,
ant maintain, that the Democratic party
need not follow the corrupting example
of the effete Republican party and ''pur-
chase its way into power" That
there is virtue, intelligence and
honesty enough in the Democratic ranks
to keep it's position, but If not let it
/ stand by the truth aud light, snN though
it's banner may trail for time in defeat
it will finally feat out grandlY and
proudly in triumph. Truth is mighty,
and "thOugh crushed to earth will rise
again" Let tie Democratic party stand
firm against CorruptinS the ballot, for a
pure ballot is the anchor and stay of
American liberty and the protection of
the down-trOdden and weak. l warn
you, and all who think with you, that the
moment you fasten your theory upon the
politics of this country, that moment you
take liberty and freedom from American
citizenship and place all power in the
hands of the wealthy and in dangerous
and grasping mOnOpOlies. On the con-
trary, if the Democratic party will abso-
| lutely refuse to put money into saloons
and .baWdy houses and "hell's half acres, {"
but will furnish all the money and in
fuence needed to have the penalties of
our laws inflicted upon those candidates
who do put 1t there and then take the
oath of Office, whether they be Demo
Gratis, Republicans, Independents or what
not, it will not be very long until an office
in Fort Worth will not cost as much to
get it as it pays to the successful candi-
date.
Again, with the theory and practice of
| UuJ du OlllCCJ uuS GulS uSllCCs liz
| irresponsible and profigste class o6 the
wards in cities virtually hold the balance
of power. Men who do not own a tax
able value, by their votes control the
taxation. The statutes of Texas, article
1851, has this clanse, "but in all cleo
tions to determine expenditure of money
or assumption of debt, only those shall
be qualified to vote who pay taxes on
property in said city, town or village"
The mayor and aldermen determine tx
penditures" and "assume debts" but
this clause has not been applied in their
election. Why not have this law changed
so as to cover all such elections? What
right has q man who never owned 81
worth of property TO be taxed to vote a
burden of taxation on another mans
property? It seems to me that the own
ers of property to be taxed should con-
troll It's taxation, whether it is taxed by
direct vote or by offices voted for. I
oppose this idea of fastening a practice
| of buying votes with money and whisky
upon the Democratic party, on principle.
Because
| l. 1t is oppressive and burdensome on
all candidates for office.
2. 1t puts premium OF whisky and q
discount on brains.
8. 1t destroys the will power of man.
4. 1t demOraliZes men and destroys the
power of the free ballot.
5. It enables the corrupt and unprinci-
pied to control the Offices when once
firmly established.
6. 1t keeps conscientious, honest men
from seeking or accepting Office.
Z. 1t encourages bribery and rascality.
8. 1t leads every candidate who in
dulges in it and afterward takes the oath
of office to perjury, the penalty of which
is confinement in the state prison.
9. 1t tends to destroy morality and
tuild up vice.
10. II destroys the MODEST attributes of
manhood.
In what l have said l wish it distinctly
understood that l do not mean to cast
any reflection upon any man now in
office or elected at the late election. ]
cOncede to every man the freedom of
thought l claim Tor myself. 1t is, have
40 doubt, understand in Tarrant county
at least, that man cannot get into office
without spending money lavishly, and
especially for whisky, ETC., and it has be
come popular to do so. so go to see q
constituent" means to put any sum from
so cents TO $500 into his hands in accord
anCe with his size and Importance.
AS a candidate for alderman in the
Third ward and as the leader in the fight
did not make these calls aud did not
treat TO whisky, and was overwhelmingly
dt feated. How much my course had to
do with it l leave for others to say.
In conclusion l have this to say, that l
am Democrat and never knew anything
else in politics, but 1 do not aspire to be
a leader, and more, If to be a leader
means that am as candidate for office
to go to every constituent who Will &C.
cept money and give it to him, and then
when elected take an oath that haven't
done it, then excuse me from leadership,
if you please. Now, if l am to be GEN.
sured tor my course, SO be it. 1 plead
guilty, and in the next canvass 1 can be
left out and men can be taken who will
march to the music Of jingling dollars
and changing glasses. Yours respect
fully, OLIVER S. KENNEDY.